I’m Going Fishing March 26

John 21:4-7

But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore, yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.

Then Jesus said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.

Therefore, that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea.

And after Jesus’s resurrection.

John 21:3 Simon Peter said to them. “I’m Going Fishing.”

Peter had been commissioned to be a leader, and he has led in the wrong direction by returning to his old ways, hence the reference to Simon Peter. He is trying to return to the world he knew before he was converted, but he has a new anointing. A gift from God that he does not really understand yet. When Peter said these words six other disciples followed him.

I have a very good friend who used to be one of the roughest dealer rappers around. Now he is a successful businessman, evangelist, and promoter. One day I said, “You know Joe, you used to be successful when you were bad, and now you’re successful when you’re good. There’s good success and there’s bad success.”

Jesus gave Peter a choice at this moment by loading him up with fish and blessing him. Simon could have opted to have gone back to his old lifestyle, a place of comfort.

The mentioning of his garment is not just coincidence, but look at the symbolism, He had removed his garment. When I go swimming, I usually take clothes off, but Simon Peter put his garment back on. The symbolism is Peter picking up his mantle that he was about to leave behind. Before, he was terrified to walk on the water, now he plunges into the water for Jesus! Before he wanted to get as far away from the Lord as possible, now he wants to be as close as possible. Unlike in the beginning, he doesn’t wait for all the fish to be pulled into the boat. He leaves his worldly work behind. The other disciples are so excited they don’t even pull the net in. They drag the net behind them, with the same effect. We’ll leave the world behind for Jesus!

John 21:10-11 “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not broken.

Here again is the symbolism of the work Peter would do. Turning back to the world and bringing fish to the Lord. The fish represent the people, nations. Long ago, I heard of a British officer that was stationed somewhere in Africa in the 1800’s. He must have spent a considerable amount of time doing research on this subject. But he discovered that at that time there were one hundred and fifty-three nations on the earth, a fish for every culture. Peter really was "Going Fishing."

Why Peter? Well, he did it, didn’t he? He built a church for the Lord that has lasted and grown. Of course, he had a little help along ‘The Way,’ but you have the same Holy Spirit inside of you.

And He can use you too, one word to the right person, one act of kindness and you may have just brought the next Mother Teresa into the kingdom, the next TD Jakes or just someone who will be grateful for your words for all eternity. I know my personal heroes, My Aunt Shireen, my friend Charles who led me to the Lord, my mentors and the list goes on and on.

Please get on someone’s list. The Holy Spirit will give you opportunity if you just ask.

He is: Jehova Ezrah

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